Title
Approve Draft Minutes of the September 24, 2025, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Body
Transportation Commission
Draft Meeting minutes 9-24-25
Zoom Attendees: 12
Legistar Link (Agenda and Video)
<https://alameda.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1251762&GUID=627C70E1-31EB-4F32-8034-F96805DFEF7C&Options=info|&Search=>.
1. Roll Call
Present: Chair Weitze, Commissioners Dara Abrams, Kim, Gloyne, Johnson and Nachtigal.
Absent: Vice-Chair Suthanthira
2. Agenda Changes
None
3. 2025-5385 Staff Communications (Discussion)
Lisa Foster, Transportation Planning Manager, provided (*00:45) several updates:
Updates can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7663889&GUID=AA1BF0B8-9FD8-4668-823D-C22C2BF22E97&FullText=1>.
4. Non-Agenda Public Comment
Gordon Williams (*5:37) discussed the Gibbons Closure Survey and concerns he had about those findings and that they were biased. He discussed his safety concerns and didn’t see why Gibbons was part of the Fernside Study.
Jim Strehlow (*8:47) shared his concerns about bike laws not being enforced or taught. He spoke about cyclists being in the wrong lane in bike lanes and cars turning right into red with a sign that says clearly not to. He shared overall concerns on bike safety education.
William Morrison (11:03) discussed the Fernside/Gibbons intersection and felt this a personal favorite. He wanted to know how the public could give input and felt the commission was too reliant on staff and their recommendations. He questioned the data and felt that it was propaganda.
Chair Weitze reminded everyone about the upcoming Gibbons/High/Fernside workshop.
Jim Meyers, via Zoom, (14:46) wanted to discuss speedbumps. Chair Weitze asked him to hold his comments until that agenda item.
Mitch Ball (*15:20) discussed the Park and Cash It Law (California’s Parking Cash-Out Law) and how it would benefit the City of Alameda.
Marie Kotowski (*18:36) discussed the 300 block at Santa Clara Ave. This used to be a slow street but there was an accident that very day. She shared her concerns about construction and asked for more police enforcement and asked for a review of Greenway policy. She asked for the bike lanes to be paved on Central.
5. Consent Calendar
5-A 2025-5381 Approve Draft Minutes of May 28, 2025, Transportation Commission Meeting (Action)
Minutes can be found:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7663885&GUID=2176C948-3424-4AA9-B966-2562C146E745&FullText=1>
Chair Weitze made a motion (*21:52) to approve the Consent Calendar and Commissioner Dara Abrams seconded the motion. A voice vote was taken, and the motion passed 5-0 and Commissioner Nachtigall abstained due to his absence at the meeting.
6. Regular Agenda Items
6-A 2025-5382 Review and Provide Input on the Draft Citywide Speed Hump Policy (Discussion)
Susie Hufstader, Senior Transportation Coordinator, introduced this item and gave a presentation (*22:34). Staff Report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7663886&GUID=6DD0AFDA-8331-4F85-A242-537944968444&FullText=1>.
There were no clarifying questions.
Public Comment for 6-A
Gordon Williams (*36:40) discussed how Alameda used to be known for its 25mph all over the island but how that doesn’t seem to be the case today. He discussed the proposed speed hump options to slow people down; he was in favor of this. He shared his concerns about Gibbons again. He didn’t believe that narrow streets would slow people down. He supported this policy.
Denyse Trepanier, via Zoom (*43:12) spoke on behalf of Bike Walk Alameda. She hoped there would be more input and conversations about safety implementations and fully endorsed staff’s work. She discussed monitoring effectiveness and asked about cut throughs for cyclists.
Carl Majette, via Zoom (*41:58) felt the framework for implementation was fantastic. He wanted to know what the community could do to support this. He gave his support to this project.
Jim Myers, via Zoom (*43:29) felt this was well put together. He brought attention to Garden Rd on Bay Farm, it was a cut through between Mecartney and Island Dr, drivers speed and it was very dangerous. He thought it would meet the criteria.
Karen Bey, via Zoom (*45:10) thanked everyone for the work on Central, the roundabouts were looking good. She discussed her concerns about how drivers were avoiding the roundabout, 5th street was becoming busier and thought speed bumps could help.
Xo Wang, via Zoom (*47:06) loved the proposed framework for speed humps. He discussed areas with accidents that were included. He discussed the overwhelming support and wanted a way for the public’s concerns to be reported. He discussed using See Click Fix to report areas where people wanted speed humps.
Bharat Siingh, via Zoom (*50:22) thought the framework was robust but wanted to know more about other alternatives for reducing speed, such as narrowing down streets.
Jim Strehlow, (*52:11) wanted to know what minimums needed to be met to implement such speedbumps. He gave suggestions of what could be done before considering speedbumps. He felt that without collecting such data the data was bias. He wanted people who lived near where the humps were to be installed to have a say and felt that without that it would look “retaliatory” at citizens who argue against the city. He said there should also always be a cut-throughs for cyclists.
William B Morrison (*55:08) had difficulty that everything stopped at the City Engineer and they got final say. He wanted a way to challenge or to re-exam the findings. He seconded Bike Walk Alameda’s stance on things. He discussed things he liked about speed humps and cost for implementing everything.
Kelly Becker, via Zoom (*58:01) discussed the intersection at her home, Fairwood/Bayo Vista. She discussed the near misses she had seen and was concerned that more traffic was being pushed on them. She was not in favor of the Gibbons closure.
Action taken for 6-A
Commissioner discussion started at the 1:01:01-minute mark in the video.
This was a discussion item; no formal action was taken.
There was a brief recess between items.
6-B 2025-5383 Accept the Status Report on Transportation (Action)
Manager Foster introduced (*1:45:55) this item and gave a presentation. Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer & Deputy Public Works Director, also presented. The staff report and attachments can be found at:
<https://alameda.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7663887&GUID=BE76AE2B-A30E-45D8-8505-550F7E82A5AD&FullText=1>.
Clarifying questions started at the 1:57:43 minute mark in the video.
Public Comment for Item 6-B
Mitch Ball (*1:59:05) discussed support for parking and curb management. He brought up cars parking in bike lanes and how that added to the dangers of biking.
Jim Strehlow (*2:02:18) discussed one-way limitations and road closures and wanted to see clarification on public transit on those closures. He discussed signage for slow streets and how it was misleading for cyclists.
Action taken for 6-B
Discussion started at the 2:04:50 minute mark in the video.
Chair Weitze made a motion (*2:24:16) to accept the Status Report on Transportation and Commissioner Nachtigall seconded the motion. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
6-C 2025-5384 Transportation Commission Chair and Vice Chair Elections (Action)
Commissioner Kim nominated (*2:24:51) Chair Weitze to continue his role as Chair of the Transportation Commission. Chair Nachtigall seconded this nomination. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
Commissioner Dara Abrams nominated (*2:25:44) Vice Chair Suthanthira to continue her role as Vice Chair of the Transportation Commission. Commissioner Kim seconded the nomination. A vote was taken and the motion passed 6-0.
7. Commission Communications
Commissioner Johnson discussed the passing of Chris Peeples, who served on the AC Transit Board of Directors for many years.
8. Adjournment
Chair Weitze adjourned at 9:04 PM.